5. I do have multiple copies of the same book
As an appendix to my previous point, I would like to add that I do legitimately and quite happily possess multiple copies of the same book. Why? Because these books are my bestest friends of all.
You know those feelings of nostalgia and strong attachment I was talking about in point 3? They are particularly intense for these books. Usually, this takes the form of the original books that I read, most likely in a mass market paperback format that I can’t bear to part with because of the emotional attachment I have to that first reading, plus beautifully produced hardback/anniversary/celebratory reprint editions that I ooo and ahh over and have been known to stroke and reverently leaf through.
My original turn of the century paperback editions of His Dark Material alongside the delicious 20th anniversary hardback editions. I love them both dearly.
- the original hardback
- the Clare Melinsky cover art hardback edition published in Nov 2011
- the Jim Kay illustrated edition
- the 20th anniversary Ravenclaw hardback edition
- the Spanish edition
- the Italian edition
- the Chinese edition
- the Latin edition
And yes, I can read it in all those versions. I also have the audiobook read by Stephen Fry, which is like melted chocolate in my ears. The long and short is, I will literally pay Bloomsbury (UK publisher) over and over and over again for the same content in a different format. And I don’t care! Frankly, I can’t get enough of Harry Potter, so I don’t believe for a second that those eight will be the limit of my collection. But like any collector, a collection gives me such joy inside, and my HP books have definitely gone beyond my usual originals plus aesthetically pleasing editions and now reside under the heading of a collection.
So there you have it. Five confessions of a proud bookaholic. My shelves bring me joy and nostalgia and thrilling possibilities, and I wouldn’t change them for the world.
I’d love to hear your bookshelf rules and secrets, so please comment! X
